SAN JOSE — Coach Ron Caragher has called for a light practice Saturday in anticipation of San Jose State getting invited to a bowl game this weekend.

The Spartans” third-year coach said Thursday the school won”t know anything before the official announcements come Sunday. But the 5-7 team is allowed to practice because it is in contention to earn its fourth bowl bid since 1990, Caragher said.

“You don”t want to get your hopes up too high,” Caragher said. “At the same time, it looks pretty solid.”

San Jose State, which finished 4-4 in the Mountain West Conference, is in the mix because only 75 schools have reached the minimum six-victory requirement to become bowl eligible. Five bowl slots are open, but the number could be reduced Saturday when 5-6 schools Kansas State, Georgia State and South Alabama play.

The Spartans are a strong candidate to fill one of the remaining spots because of their stellar Academic Progress Rate score of 975 points.

The NCAA selection committee is using the graduation rate measurement as the decider for the 5-7 candidates. Nebraska has the best score among the seven schools in consideration with Kansas State second.

With Missouri announcing it won”t accept a bowl bid, San Jose State and Minnesota (also 975) are the next eligible candidates. Illinois and Rice (both 973) are the final contenders.

If either Georgia Southern or South Alabama loses, the Spartans almost assuredly will earn a bid. But if all three teams win Saturday, then the final berth would be given to either the Big Ten”s Minnesota or the Spartans.

It”s difficult to say where San Jose might land.

Seven Mountain West Conference teams have the minimum number of six victories and likely would fill the Arizona, Armed Forces, Idaho Potato, Hawaii, Heart of Dallas, New Mexico and Poinsettia bowls.

The Mountain West has a backup agreement with the Cactus Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. But conference spokesman Javan Hedlund said Thursday it is doubtful a Mountain West school would get invited over a Big 12 team even if conference champion Oklahoma makes the College Football Playoff.

Hedlund said Mountain West officials would try to get San Jose State in a bowl as close to home as possible.

“Right now we have no clue,” he added.

Caragher isn”t picky.

“Any bowl, we would make it a great experience,” he said. “You can work with your team” for almost two more weeks of practices. “It”s exposure for your program. It”s a building block for next year.”

The Spartans have played in two bowls since 2006 when San Jose State defeated New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl. The Spartans have a three-game winning streak in bowls and a 6-3 postseason record overall.